Effectiveness of reproductive health education through social media on adolescent knowledge

Fitrya Hanissa; Debora Sinta  Uli

Authors

Fitrya Hanissa UIN Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia Author
Debora Sinta Uli UIN Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia Author

Keywords:

Adolescents, Health Education, Knowledge Improvement, Reproductive Health, Social Media

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of reproductive health education delivered through social media platforms in enhancing adolescent knowledge. With increasing digital engagement among youth, social media presents a promising avenue for disseminating critical health information. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving 300 adolescents aged 13–18 from urban and semi-urban areas. Participants were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received structured reproductive health content via Instagram and TikTok over eight weeks, while the control group received no additional educational material. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed knowledge levels across key reproductive health topics, including puberty, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and consent. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in knowledge scores among the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Qualitative feedback indicated that adolescents found the content engaging, accessible, and relevant to their daily lives. The findings suggest that social media can serve as an effective and scalable tool for reproductive health education, particularly in reaching adolescents who may lack access to traditional sources of information. This study underscores the need for evidence-based, youth-centered digital health strategies in public health programming and policy development. Further research is recommended to evaluate long-term impacts and behavioral outcomes.

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